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Stand up straight, eyes forward, no what are you doing, hold it like that, no slouching, feet apart, solid stance, not that far apart- Lan could hear her elder’s voice even know as she held her bow out, arrow set to fly into the target in the distance. She was a skilled fighter, but she could always do with a bit of practice.

The arrow hit the target, but looking at where, she cursed. Two rings from the center. Not good enough. All it showed was that she could fire an arrow. Unless she hit that red dot, she might as well not fire an arrow at all. That was what her elder’s nagging voice would she saying she thought to herself. Joke was on you old man, you were the one dead now weren’t you?

And then she just went and made herself sad. Great.

Huffing. She dismissed her bow, hands on her hips and she stared at the target. “Why must things be so difficult?” She asked no one in particular. The only sound around her being that of crickets.

Lan had long sleeves, so she could relate. They dragged in things if she was not careful, and like the edges of her dress, were prone to getting far dirtied than other things. For her thankfully, she had grown up learning how to avoid such things. How to carry one's self, how to keep herself prim and proper.

She had never been told to carry her arms above her head, but, if she knew why, she'd have given Zhiqiang points for trying. At least he was trying, which was better than some who simply lacked any caring about their appearance.

She'd been wrapped up in her thoughts however when he approached, arms in the air, looking ridiculous. Gold eyes went from his raise arms to his face and for a second she wondered if something had happened to him. Maybe he'd taken a hit to the head by some hunter. Maybe he was infected.

Or maybe he was just eccentric. She certainly knew some horsemen could be.

Crossing her arms, she gave him a small bow. "Good day, is there a reason you are standing like that?" It looked silly and now that she thought about it, probably uncomfortable.

Well he was a rather... enthusiastic one now wasn't he? Part of her said 'you should be worried' while another said that... this was another horseman of conquest, she really had nothing to worry about.

Raising an eyebrow at his reason for looking so ridiculous, Lan gave a shake of her head. He must have something wrong with him. No member of her clan would be this... absurd right? He was just.. ill. It would pass. While he seemed impressed with her, she wasn't sure if she was impressed with him. Had no one simply taught him how to carry himself? A shame really.

His flailing had her stepping back summoning her bow from reflex. She resisted the urder to smack him with it. "Well for starters-" she looked at his clothes. Really just- "One does not flap about like a headless corrividus. You must stand tall. Be poised." She tapped his leg with her bow.

"And not stand in mud."

Lan would say she deserved respect not because of her cloths but because of her bloodline. But, that was Lan. She thought those of imperial blood were the bee's knees after all.

Watching him slap himself in the face did make her giggle, and she'd give him that, but his ridged posture, the use of Sir.. It would not suit. "Secondly, if one finds themselves in mud, do not splash it about. Move quickly out of the mud, but be mindful for to make matters worse. A dirty sandal is one thing, a filthy leg another."

His looking at her chest didn't bother her too much as he stopped soon enough, but if he did it again, she might have hit him. She might have been 'gifted' but really, staring was just rude. "Also calm down and stop that. I am not your commanding officer and this is not a lair under my control. I am merely... helping."

She lifted a sleeve with her bow. "By chance, have you ever taken these to a tailor?"

Fluffy thing? What was he going on about? Giving him a confused look, she watched as he reached back and pet his clothes. We that was certainly unexpected. One didn't... normally pet clothes after all.

She also was not buying the tailor bit. If he was he'd have more care for his clothes. At least that is what she expected. This horseman just... she didn't know anymore, she really didn't. "Indeed, and I am a blacksmith." He lifted the sleeve up again, wrapping it partially around his arm. "You really ought to take it to a tailor." Lan gave him a pointed look. "A real one mind you. Cutting your sleeves or pinning them does not a tailor make you know."

Again, she stepped back as the flailed about. Yes, those horseman was nuts, crazy to a line she didn't quite understand nor, wish to.

"Well um... yes. You have been trained to be a siolder, not a tailor. That is not one's profession. But if it is a hobby... you might be suited for working on those sleeves of yours before you work on anything else." And learn to keep out of mud. Really, so messy.

As he introduced himself, Zhiqiang got a smile along with a slight bow of her head. "Lan, I am one of the last nobles here in conquest. So if you need anything, I will assist you in whatever way I can."

He was just... a bit dim she decided. Not in a bad way but... innocently dim. And possibly crazy. Just a hunch but she didn't think he'd kill her quite yet.

"A little trimming never hurt Zhiqiang. Elegance does not need to be lost for something to be practical." And mud free.

"One, put your arms down, there is no need to keep them up like that unless you intend to catch something. Two, when in battle, you can guide your weapon in a way that keep the blood at a distance. If you use a lance at least. For those of us will bows, it's not so hard. Three, when you do get messy, soaking it in cool water is better than hot. Four-" Smiling she tapped her bow on his nose. "You look where you walk, or ride your mount."

Yes, she knew that you liked your sleeves but you had to manage them. No point in having things you didn't upkeep. Still from his parroting, it sounded like he got it. Granted he did look a bit dazed and all that. "You can have sleeves just... it might be best they are not that long. Perhaps you can pin them? Then they might no hang so low when you are walking but at other times you might have them loose?"

As he kept going she nodded. "Very good. And... feel free?" She could humor him a bit. He was the soldier after all, not her.